U.S. patent number 5,086,922 [Application Number 07/536,708] was granted by the patent office on 1992-02-11 for disposal for needles and syringes.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Medical Safety Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to John E. Cooke, William E. Sagstetter.
United States Patent |
5,086,922 |
Sagstetter , et al. |
February 11, 1992 |
Disposal for needles and syringes
Abstract
A receptacle includes a first recess for receiving the anterior
end of the barrel of a conventional double ended needle blood
collection tube holder to stabilize the holder during threaded
disengagement of the needle. A post disposed within the recess
includes a slot for receiving a rib of the double ended needle hub
to prevent rotation of the hub while the holder is rotated to
unthread the hub. Upon threaded disengagement, the needle drops
into the receptacle, which drop may be augmented by a leaf spring.
A second recess in the receptacle receives the collar of a guard
supporting a translatable blood collection tube holder, which
holder threadedly engages the hub of a double ended needle. A post
within the recess can extend within the collar to engage with a
slot a rib of the hub to prevent rotation of the double ended
needle upon rotation of the guard to threadedly disengage the hub
from the holder. Upon threaded disengagement, the double ended
needle drops into the receptacle, which drop may be augmented by a
leaf spring.
Inventors: |
Sagstetter; William E. (Denver,
CO), Cooke; John E. (Lakewood, CO) |
Assignee: |
Medical Safety Products, Inc.
(Denver, CO)
|
Family
ID: |
24139600 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/536,708 |
Filed: |
June 12, 1990 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/366;
604/198 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
5/3205 (20130101); A61M 2005/3208 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
5/32 (20060101); B65D 085/24 (); B65D 083/10 ();
A61M 005/32 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/366,365
;604/192,198 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Price; William I.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cahill, Sutton & Thomas
Claims
We claim:
1. A disposal for receiving double ended needles being in
engagement with a blood collection tube holder and aligned with the
longitudinal axis of the holder, said disposal comprising in
combination:
a) a receptacle for housing the needles;
b) means disposed in said receptacle for receiving the anterior end
of the holder and for accommodating rotation of the holder about
its longitudinal axis, which holder includes a boss for engaging a
hub disposed upon the double ended needle, said receiving means
including means for supporting at least a part of the anterior end
of the holder;
c) a post disposed within said receiving means for engaging the hub
to prevent rotation of the hub about the longitudinal axis of the
holder;
d) means for interferingly aligning the hub with said post upon
axial movement of the holder along its longitudinal axis to engage
the hub with said post and for preventing lateral displacement of
the holder from its longitudinal axis; and
e) an aperture disposed in said receiving means for accommodating
passage of the needle upon disengagement of the double ended needle
from the holder resulting from rotation of the holder relative to
the hub and withdrawal of the holder from said receiving means.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hub includes
longitudinally aligned ribs and wherein said engaging means
comprises a slot disposed in said post for engaging a rib of the
hub.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said supporting
means includes a segment of an annular surface.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for urging
disengagement of the needle from the holder.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said urging means
comprises a leaf spring.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said leaf spring
extends from said post.
7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, said leaf spring includes
a lip for engaging the hub to prevent rise of the needle upon
withdrawal of the holder from said recess.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said holder is
transparent to permit viewing disengagement of the needle from the
holder.
9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said receptacle
includes means to permit viewing drop of the needle into said
receptacle.
10. A disposal for receiving double ended needles having a ribbed
hub threadedly engaged with a blood collection tube holder
translatable within a guard having a collar disposed at the
anterior end for receiving the hub, said disposal comprising in
combination:
a) a receptacle for housing the needles;
b) a passageway in communication with the interior of said
receptacle for receiving the collar of the guard;
c) means for supporting the anterior end of the guard upon
placement of the collar within said passageway;
d) a post disposed within said passageway, said post including
means for engaging a rib of the ribbed hub to prevent rotation of
the hub about the longitudinal axis of the needle; and
e) means for accommodating passage of the needle into said
receptacle upon threaded disengagement of the needle from the
holder resulting from rotation of the guard relative to the hub and
withdrawal of the collar from said passageway.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said engaging
means comprises a slot disposed in said post for engaging a rib of
the ribbed hub.
12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 including means for
urging disengagement between said post and the threadedly
disengaged needle.
13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said urging
means comprises a leaf spring.
14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said leaf spring
extends from said post.
15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said leaf spring
includes a lip for engaging the hub to prevent rise of the needle
upon withdrawal of the holder from said recess.
16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said supporting
means comprises said top.
17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 including a skirt
depending from said top for defining said passageway.
18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 17 including a shelf
extending from said skirt for supporting said post.
19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18 including a segment of
an annular slot disposed between said post and said skirt for
receiving the collar.
20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said holder is
transparent to permit viewing disengagement of the double ended
needle from the holder.
21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said receptacle
includes means to permit viewing drop of the needle into the
receptacle.
22. A method for disposing a double ended needle detachably
attached to a blood collection tube holder, said method comprising
the steps of:
a) providing a receptacle for housing the needles;
b) receiving the anterior end of the holder in a recess disposed in
the receptacle, which recess accommodates rotation of the holder
about its longitudinal axis and supports at least a part of the
anterior end of the holder, the holder including a boss for
threadedly engaging a ribbed hub disposed upon the needle;
c) engaging rib of the ribbed hub with a post disposed in the
recess to prevent rotation of the hub about the longitudinal axis
of the needle upon axial movement of the holder along its
longitudinal axis;
d) preventing lateral displacement of the holder from its
longitudinal axis during said step of engaging; and
e) passing the needle through an aperture disposed in the recess
and into the receptacle upon a threaded disengagement of the needle
from the holder resulting from rotation of the holder relative to
the hub and subsequent withdrawal of the holder.
23. The method as set forth in claim 22 including the step of
urging disengagement of the needle with the post upon threaded
disengagement of the needle from the holder.
24. The method as set forth in claim 23 including the step of
restraining rise of the needle commensurate with withdrawal of the
holder.
25. A method for disposing double ended needles having a ribbed hub
threadedly engaged with a blood collection tube holder translatable
within a guard having a collar disposed at the anterior end for
receiving the hub, said method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a receptacle for housing the needles;
b) receiving the collar of the guard in a passageway in
communication with the interior of the receptacle;
c) supporting the anterior end of the guard upon placement of the
collar within the passageway;
d) engaging a rib of the ribbed hub with a post disposed in the
passageway to prevent rotation of the hub about the longitudinal
axis of the needle; and
e) passing the needle through the passageway and into the
receptacle upon threaded disengagement of the needle from the
holder resulting from rotation of the holder relative to the hub
and withdrawal of the holder.
26. The method as set forth in claim 25 including the step of
urging disengagement of the needle with the post upon threaded
disengagement of the needle from the holder.
27. The method as set forth in claim 26 including the step of
restraining rise of the needle commensurate with withdrawal of the
holder.
28. A method for disposing a used conventional double ended needle
detachably attached to a blood collection tube holder, said method
comprising the steps of:
a) housing the used needle within a receptacle;
b) stabilizing and supporting the anterior end of the holder to
accommodate rotation of the holder about its longitudinal axis,
which holder includes a boss for threadedly engaging a ribbed hub
disposed upon the needle;
c) engaging the ribbed hub to prevent rotation of the hub about the
longitudinal axis of the needle;
d) preventing lateral displacement of the holder from its
longitudinal axis during said step of engaging; and
e) accommodating passage of the needle into the receptacle upon
threaded disengagement of the needle from the holder resulting from
rotation of the holder relative to the hub.
29. The method as set forth in claim 28 including the step of
urging passage of the needle into the receptacle.
30. A disposal for receiving used conventional double ended needles
being in threaded engagement with a blood collection tube holder
and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the holder, said disposal
comprising in combination:
a) means for housing the used needles;
b) means for stabilizing and supporting the anterior end of a blood
collection tube holder and for accommodating rotation of the holder
about its longitudinal axis while precluding lateral movement of
the holder, the anterior end of the holder including a boss for
threadedly engaging a ribbed hub disposed upon the double ended
needle;
c) means for engaging the ribbed hub to prevent rotation of the hub
about the longitudinal axis of the holder; and
d) said stabilizing, supporting and accommodating means including
means for aligning the hub with said engaging means upon axial
movement of the holder along its longitudinal axis to engage the
hub with said engaging means and for preventing lateral
displacement of the holder from its longitudinal axis; and
e) means for accommodating passage of the needle into said housing
means upon threaded disengagement of the needle from the holder
resulting from rotation of the holder relative to the hub.
31. The apparatus as set forth in claim 30 wherein said engaging
means comprises a slot for receiving a rib of the ribbed hub.
32. The apparatus as set forth in claim 30 wherein said
stabilizing, supporting accommodating means comprises a recess for
receiving the anterior end of the holder.
33. The apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein said engaging
means is disposed within said recess.
34. The apparatus as set forth in claim 30 wherein said stabilized
and supporting means includes a cylindrical skirt extending into
said housing means.
35. The apparatus as set forth in claim 34 wherein said engaging
means is disposed within said skirt.
36. The apparatus as set forth in claim 30 including means for
urging disengagement between said engaging means and the
needle.
37. A disposal for receiving used conventional single ended needles
used with a conventional hypodermic syringe and having a ribbed hub
for engaging a boss of the hypodermic syringe, said disposal
comprising in combination:
a) means for housing the used needles;
b) means for stabilizing and supporting the anterior end of the
hypodermic syringe to accommodate rotation of the hypodermic
syringe about its longitudinal axis while precluding lateral
movement thereof;
c) means for engaging the ribbed hub of the needle to prevent
rotation of the hub about the longitudinal axis of the needle;
and
d) means for accommodating passage of the needle into said housing
means upon threaded disengagement of the needle from the hypodermic
syringe resulting from rotation of the hypodermic syringe relative
to the hub.
38. The apparatus as set forth in claim 37 wherein said engaging
means comprises a slot for receiving a rib of the ribbed hub.
39. The apparatus as set forth in claim 37 wherein said stabilizing
and supporting means comprises a recess for receiving the anterior
end of the hypodermic syringe.
40. The apparatus as set forth in claim 39 wherein said engaging
means is disposed within said recess.
41. The apparatus as set forth in claim 37 wherein said stabilized
and supporting means includes a cylindrical skirt extending into
said housing means.
42. The apparatus as set forth in claim 41 wherein said engaging
means is disposed within said skirt.
43. The apparatus as set forth ian claim 37 including means for
urging disengagement between said engaging means and the
needle.
44. A disposal for receiving each of a plurality of double ended
needles detachably attached to a blood collection tube holder
having a longitudinal axis, said disposal comprising in
combination:
a) a receptacle for housing the needles;
b) means for supporting at least a part of the anterior end of the
holder, which holder includes a boss for threadedly engaging a
ribbed hub disposed upon the double ended needle;
c) a post, said post including means for engaging a rib of the
ribbed hub to prevent rotation of the hub about the longitudinal
axis of the double ended needle in response to rotation of the
holder;
d) means for interferingly aligning the hub with said post upon
axial movement of the holder along its longitudinal axis to engage
the hub with said post and for preventing lateral displacement of
the holder from its longitudinal axis; and
e) an aperture for accommodating passage of the double ended needle
into said receptacle upon threaded disengagement of the double
ended needle from the holder resulting from rotation of the holder
relative to the hub.
45. A disposal for receiving double ended needles having a ribbed
hub threadedly engaged with a blood collection tube holder
translatable within a guard having a collar disposed at the
anterior end for receiving and encircling the hub to define an
annular space about the ribbed hub, said disposal comprising in
combination:
a) a receptacle for housing the needles;
b) means for supporting the anterior end of the guard relative to
said receptacle;
c) a post associated with the receptacle for extending into the
annular space defined by the collar, said post including means for
engaging a rib of the ribbed hub to prevent rotation of the hub
about the longitudinal axis of the needle; and
d) means for accommodating passage of the needle into said
receptacle upon threaded disengagement of the needle from the
holder resulting from rotation of the guard relative to the hub and
withdrawal of the guard from a supported relationship with said
receptacle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to disposals and, more particularly,
to disposals for needles and related devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
To obtain a blood sample for diagnostic purposes, blood is drawn
into an evacuated blood collection tube through a double ended
needle. The needle includes a hub, an anterior needle for tissue
penetration into a blood vessel and a posterior needle having an
exterior elastomeric valve. The posterior end of the needle is
penetrably inserted within a barrel having female threads for
threadedly engaging the hub to retain the double ended needle
positionally fixed with respect to the barrel. The proximal end of
the barrel is open to receive an evacuated blood collection tube
having a stopper for penetrably receiving the posterior needle.
Upon venipuncture, blood will flow through the anterior needle and
the posterior needle into the collection tube. Upon removal of the
collection tube, the elastomeric valve recovers the posterior
needle to prevent spontaneous blood flow from the needle. A
phlebotomist can then insert a second or more blood collection
tubes into the barrel to receive additional blood samples.
Upon completion of the venipuncture procedure, the anterior needle
is withdrawn from the patient. While the barrel is often reused,
the double ended needle must be safely removed from the barrel
without causing needle stick and while avoiding contact with any
residual body fluids of the patient to prevent transmission of
infectious disease. Typically, a conventional biohazard receptacle
for needles is provided with a lid having various shaped slots to
engage the needle hub. To dispose of a used needle, the
phlebotomist must carefully place the exposed needle hub into the
slot, grip and rotate the barrel to unthread the needle and cause
the disengaged needle to drop completely through the slot into the
underlying container. Since the barrels are often opaque, it is
difficult to know when the double ended needle has become
completely threadedly disengaged from the barrel. A further danger
arises from the upstanding exposed posterior needle until the hub
has become sufficiently disengaged from the slot to permit the
needle to drop into the receptacle. Aside from hub engaging slots,
other devices have been developed including the use of fixed and
moveable jaws to engage the needle hub. Mechanized devices for
unthreading a double ended needle are also known.
A recently available reusable safety blood collection device
includes a holder for engaging the double ended needle, which
holder is translatable within a guard to fully enclose and shield
both the anterior and posterior needles of the double ended needle.
The guard includes an anterior collar for shielding the end of the
anterior needle upon retraction of the holder and for supporting
therewithin the hub engaging boss of the holder during use. Known
syringe disposal devices are not well suited for receiving and
disposing needles of such devices since the hub of the double ended
needle is shielded by the collar and is not accessible for gripping
by the opposed edges of a slot, jaws or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A post mounted within a receptacle includes a slot for receiving a
rib of a conventional double ended needle hub to prevent rotation
of the hub upon engagement of the rib. A sloping upper surface of
the post encourages downward sliding movement of the needle into
the receptacle upon threaded disengagement of the hub. A further
post includes an encircling annular slot for receiving the collar
of a guard having an enclosed double ended needle supporting holder
to permit insertion of a hub rib into a slot of the post. Rotation
of the guard with commensurate rotation of the enclosed holder will
threadedly disengage the double ended needle from the holder
whereafter the needle will drop into the receptacle. To encourage
drop of the double ended needle, a vertical side mounted leaf
spring may be incorporated, which leaf spring includes a lip for
preventing upward withdrawal of the double ended needle. In a
variant, the hub engaging and supporting post assembly along with a
downwardly directed chute for guiding a double ended needle into a
receptacle may be of modular construction attachable to an aperture
of any container.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to
provide apparatus for receiving and disengaging a double ended
needle from a blood collection tube holder on completion of a
venipuncture procedure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a slotted
post for threadedly disengaging a double ended needle from a blood
collection tube holder.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
slotted post for engaging the hub of a double ended needle to
permit unthreading the needle from a blood collection tube holder
in combination with a leaf spring to encourage dropping of the
needle into an underlying receptacle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
annular slot for receiving a collar of a blood collection tube
holder supporting guard, which collar is concentric with a post for
receiving a rib of a double ended needle hub threadedly engaged
with the holder.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a
receptacle mounted post for engaging a rib of a double ended needle
hub to permit threaded disengagement of the hub from a supporting
blood collection tube holder and to encourage drop of the needle
into the post supporting receptacle.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
method for unthreading a used double ended needle prior to
disposal.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a
method for converting any receptacle to a disposal unit for double
ended needles.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide
apparatus and method for safely disposing a double ended needle
from a blood collection holder while shielding a clinician from
exposure to each end of the needle.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a
transparent disposal for receiving a double ended needle from a
transparent blood collection tube holder to permit visual
inspection of the separation an disposal of the needle.
These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof
proceeds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be described with greater clarity and
specificity with reference to the following drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container supporting posts for
engaging the hubs of double ended needles threadedly engaged with
different types of blood collection tube holders;
FIG. 2 is a partial top view of two types of post assemblies
mounted in a container for receiving used doubled needles;
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view illustrating the relationships
between needle hub engaging devices and the respective types of
blood collection tube holders;
FIG. 4 illustrates a variant of the hub engaging post
structure;
FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view illustrating operation of
the variant shown in FIG. 4; and
FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating a variant of the present
invention and mounting means therefor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Receptacles for used blood collection tube holders with double
ended needles of the type associated with venipuncture procedures
have been in existence for a period of years. Such receptacles tend
to reduce the likelihood of needle stick and spread of infectious
diseases resulting from contact with the needles and body fluids
disposed upon and within the needles. When blood collection tube
holders used with the needles are not to be disposed, various
problems arise in attempting to separate the double ended needle
from the holder without requiring a phlebotomist to touch the
needle. A number of devices for this purpose have been developed
but each suffers from actual or potential problems which preclude
repetitive fail safe operation.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a receptacle 10 for
receiving and housing used double ended needles. The receptacle
includes a top surface 12 and a cover 14. The cover may be hinged
along hinge line 16. Prongs, such as prong 18 may extend from cover
14 for locking engagement with slots, such as slots 20 formed in
top surface 12. An opening 22 may be formed in the top surface to
permit insertion into the receptacle of various items for
disposal.
Referring jointly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a circular recess 30 is
formed in top surface 12 to receive and nestingly support
cylindrical anterior end 32 of a conventional blood collection tube
holder 34. An apertured supporting surface 36, which may be
partially or completely annular, is disposed at the bottom end of
recess 30 to support anterior end 32 of the blood collection tube
holder. A post 38, generally centrally oriented within recess 30,
includes a slot 40 for receiving a rib 42 formed in hub 44 of a
conventional double ended needle threadedly engaged with boss 46
formed in anterior end 32 of the blood collection tube holder.
To eliminate the possibility of needle stick by phlebotomists
during a conventional venipuncture procedure, a more complex blood
collection tube holder device 50 has been developed. This device
includes a barrel 52 for receiving and supporting a holder 54. The
holder includes a boss 56 disposed at anterior end 58 for
threadedly engaging hub 60 of a conventional double ended needle
62. A spring loaded tab 64 extends from anterior end 58 of holder
54 for penetrable engagement with and translation along a slot 66
formed longitudinally in barrel 52. Preferably, the slot includes
laterally expanded anterior segment 68 and posterior segment 70 for
lockingly receiving the tab to retain holder 54 locked in the
anterior or posterior position. The axial length of holder 54 is
sufficient to fully enclose posterior needle 72 to prevent
inadvertent contact with the needle. Upon translation of holder 54
to its posterior position, anterior needle 74 is enclosed within
the anterior portion of barrel 52. Anterior end 76 of barrel 52
includes a collar 78 for accommodating penetration therethrough of
anterior needle 74 and at least a portion of hub 60 of double ended
needle 62. Upon retraction of holder 54 to its posterior position,
the end of anterior needle 74 may be located within the confines of
collar 78.
To accommodate disengagement of double ended needle 62 from holder
54 on completion of a venipuncture procedure, receptacle 10 may be
used. A cylindrical passageway 90 is sized and configured to
receive and guide collar 78 through top surface 12 of the
receptacle. The passageway also serves the function of stabilizing
device 50 during the process of unthreading double ended needle 62
from holder 54. After placement of collar 78 within passageway 90,
tab 64 is translated along slot 66 to position hub 60 within collar
78. Simultaneously, a rib 61 of the hub will slidingly engage slot
92 disposed in post 94 located within passageway 90. The size and
orientation of post 94 permits the post to extend into collar 78 of
device 50 to accommodate engagement with hub 60.
To disengage the double ended needle from blood collection tube
holder 34, the holder is inserted into recess 30, guiding the
anterior needle 48 through aperture 39 downwardly into adjacent
slot 40 until rib 42 of hub 44 slidingly engages the slot. In this
position, anterior end 34 of the holder will rest upon and be
supported by supporting surface 36. Upon counterclockwise rotation
of the holder, commensurate rotation of hub 44 will be precluded by
interference between rib 42 and slot 40, resulting in unthreading
of the hub from the holder. Upon subsequent raising of the holder
out of the recess, the hub, will slide downwardly into the
receptacle through the space between post 38 and supporting surface
36. Such downward sliding movement is encouraged if top surface 49
of the post is canted downwardly toward slot 40.
To separate double ended needle 62 from holder 54 of device 50,
collar 78 is inserted within passageway 90 until anterior end 76 of
barrel 52 rests upon top surface 12 of receptacle 10. Thereafter,
tab 64 is brought out of detent or expanded segment 70 and
translated along passageway 66 until rib 61 of hub 60 engages slot
92 in post 94. Subsequent counterclockwise rotation of barrel 52
will result in commensurate rotation of holder 54 due to
interference therebetween provided by tab 64 and slot 66 or further
detent or expanded segment 68. The counterclockwise movement will
unthread hub 60 from boss 56. Prior to or upon lifting of device
50, disengaged double ended needle 62 will drop through the space
intermediate post 94 and passageway 90. Downward sliding movement
of the double ended needle will be enhanced if top surface 96 of
post 94 cants downwardly toward the slot.
Referring jointly to FIGS. 2 and 3, further details attendant the
needle receiving elements of receptacle 10 will be described. Post
38 attendant recess 30 depends from a segment of supporting surface
36. By incorporating recess 30, anterior end 32 of holder 34 is
reasonably well guided and supported during rotation of the holder
to prevent skewing of the double ended needle upon partial
unthreading and the act of unthreading will be enhanced. Moreover,
the recess will maintain the holder in axial alignment with slot 40
to ensure continuing engagement of rib 42 of the hub with the slot.
Top surface 49 of post 38 is necessarily dropped below supporting
surface 36 to an extent sufficient to accommodate the extending
axial dimension of boss 46 and the axial positioning of a band 47
normally found in hub 44, which band segregates the ribbed portion
of the hub from the threaded portion of the hub. As noted above, a
downward canting of top surface 49 is preferable to encourage
sideways movement of a freed double ended needle to assist the hub
in clearing the post prior to dropping into receptacle 10. As
particularly noted in FIG. 2, post 38 may extend across a chord of
aperture 39 defined by supporting surface 36. Such configuration
will assist in locating the hub of the needle with respect to slot
40 and minimize the likelihood of the hub missing or not engaging
the post in the manner intended.
Passageway 90 includes and is defined by a depending annular skirt
98, which skirt guides and stabilizes collar 78 upon mounting of
device 52. A shelf 100 extends centrally into passageway 90 from
skirt 98, which shelf supports post 94. The post may include a
curved side 102 concentric with passageway 90 to define
therebetween an annular slot 104 for receiving a segment of collar
78 of device 50. Slot 92 may extend inwardly from a flat surface
106 interconnecting opposed edges of curved side 102.
As will be evident by inspection, annular slot 104 in combination
with the remaining surface area of skirt 98 defining passageway 90
will permit unimpeded rotation of device 50 about its longitudinal
axis (and double ended needle 62) but generally impede pivoting or
lateral displacement of the device. The limited permissible
movement of the device will encourage non binding interference
between the rib engaged with slot 9 and permit ready disengagement
upon dropping of the double ended needle after threaded
disconnection between hub 60 and boss 56.
Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a variant structure for either
or each of posts 38,94. Under abnormal conditions, a double ended
needle may not disengage from the supporting post and drop into
receptacle 10 as intended and expected. To encourage lateral
movement of the hub of the respective double ended needle off of
the top surface of the respective post an to totally eliminate any
basis for support for the double ended needle, bias means may be
incorporated to force the needle out of engagement with the post. A
bias means of this type is illustrated in FIG. 4. A leaf spring 110
is disposed at the rear of a slot, such as slot 40, of one of the
posts, such as post 38. This leaf spring may be formed as part of
the post with its lower end extending upwardly from the lower part
of the post. As illustrated, the leaf spring may replace the wall
portion of the post directly rearwardly of the respective slot; the
leaf spring may be formed in place of a part of the wall portion
depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3; or, the leaf spring may be separate from
the post. By having leaf spring 110 extend forwardly in its relaxed
state, it will be forced rearwardly upon engagement of a double
ended needle hub with the post. Accordingly, the leaf spring will
bear against and bias the hub out of the slot. Upon disengagement
of the double ended needle from the blood collection tube holder,
the double ended needle will no longer be positionally restrained
and the bias urged by the leaf spring will be exercised. Such
exercise will cause the double ended needle to be urged out of
engagement with the slot. Leaf spring 110 thereby contributes to
release of the double ended needle to permit it to drop under force
of gravity into the underlying receptacle; the drop may be
augmented by the leaf spring. As depicted in FIG. 4, top surface 49
may be canted to further encourage disengagement between the double
ended needle and the post.
Conventional double ended needles include a band disposed about the
hub intermediate the threaded segment and the ribbed segment, as
illustrated in FIG. 3. Under certain circumstances, despite
threaded disengagement between a blood collection tube holder and a
double ended needle, the double ended needle may remain attached to
the boss of the blood collection tube holder. Upon withdrawal of
the blood collection tube holder, the double ended needle may
inadvertently be withdrawn from receptacle 10 and later drop
somewhere else. To prevent this from happening, leaf spring 110, as
shown in FIG. 4, includes a lip 112 for bearing against the upper
edge of the band attendant the hub of the double ended needle.
Because of the bias provided by the leaf spring, the lip will be
urged toward the hub for such engagement. To permit passage of the
band past the lip upon insertion of the double ended needle, a ramp
114 may be formed to force the lip laterally as the band passes
therepast. The resulting sharp edge 116 will assist repositioning
of the lip adjacent the top edge of the band of the hub upon
initial unthreading of the hub. Upon upward movement of the holder
due to threaded release of the double ended needle, the lip,
bearing against the upper edge of the band about the hub, will then
move over the top surface of the band and restrain upward movement
of the double ended needle. Such restraint will be enough to
completely disengage the needle from the blood collection tube
holder. Once complete disengagement is effected and with the aid of
the leaf spring mounted lip, the double ended needle is free to
drop into the receptacle, as discussed above.
A further structural configuration of leaf spring 110 with its lip
122 is depicted in FIG. 5. Post 94, as also shown in FIG. 3,
includes a slot 92 for receiving rib 61 of hub 60 in threaded
engagement with boss 56 of device 50. The hub includes an annular
band 69 disposed intermediate the plurality of ribs and threaded
segment 67. Bias means, which may be a leaf spring 120, extends
upwardly from post 94 laterally of slot 92. The upper end of the
leaf spring includes a lip 122 extending from the leaf spring
toward the slot. The vertical position of lip 122 is set to permit
band 69 to be placed intermediate the top of post 94 and the lip.
Furthermore, the orientation of the leaf spring, in combination
with the extent of lip 122, is established to ensure overlap of the
lip with the band upon engagement of hub 60 with post 94. Upon such
initial engagement, the band may cause the leaf spring to spring
rearwardly (laterally) to permit the band to clear the lip. Upon
further downward movement of the band, the leaf spring will cause
the lip to translate forwardly (laterally) into an overlying
engagement with the band. Subsequent upward movement of hub 60
would result in interference between band 69 and lip 122 to
discourage further upward movement. Thereby, lip 122 in combination
with its supporting leaf spring 120, will encourage complete
disengagement between double ended needle 62 and boss 56.
FIG. 6 illustrates a variant of the present invention usable in
conjunction with any container or receptacle having a lid, which
receptacle is to be employed for receiving used double ended
needles. A module 130 includes a plate 132 having a recess 134
formed therein; this recess may be of the type shown in FIG. 3 for
use with a blood collection tube holder 34 or for use with a blood
collection device 50. As described above, a post 136 having a slot
138 is disposed within recess 134. Top surface 140 of post 136 may
be horizontal, as depicted, or may be canted, as shown in FIG. 3. A
circular shroud 142 extends downwardly from plate 132. This shroud
serves in the manner of a guide or chute to direct disengaged
double ended needles therethrough.
Module 130 is to be used in conjunction with a receptacle having an
apertured top for penetrably receiving shroud 142. Thereby, any
receptacle can be used as a disposal unit for double ended needles
upon attachment of module 130. The means for retaining the module
in place may be permanent or temporary.
A top 150 of a presently widely used receptacle is depicted. The
top includes an aperture 152 of sufficient size to permit
penetrable engagement by shroud 142. The length and width of plate
132 supports module 130 upon top 150 after penetration of shroud
142. The lower end of the shroud may include a plurality of
outwardly biased resilient wings 154 extending downwardly from a
groove 156 formed in the shroud. Locking means, such as plate 160,
includes an aperture 162 dimensioned to be seated in groove
156.
In operation, module 130 is penetrably engaged with aperture 152 of
top 150. Protruding wings 154 are forced radially inwardly to pass
through aperture 162 in plate 160 and the plate is translated
upwardly along shroud 142 until aperture 162 seats within groove
156. Thereafter, wings 154 will tend to spread radially outwardly
to prevent disengagement of plate 160. The module will now be
locked in place. Plate 160 may include upwardly extending sidewalls
164,166,168 and 170 to provide dimensional correspondence between
the extent to which groove 156 is below top 150 with the position
of aperture 162 of plate 160 to preclude vertical movement of the
module and to frictionally maintain the module at a predetermined
location within aperture 152.
Even though top 150 having a particularly configured aperture 152
corresponds with a widely used type of receptacle, it is to be
understood that module 130 may be used with any receptacle having
an aperture sufficient in size to penetrably receive shroud 142 and
permit locking the module in place with a plate, such as plate
160.
Blood collection holder device 50, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5,
was developed by Medical Safety Products, Inc. for the purpose of
eliminating exposure of both the anterior and posterior needles of
a double ended needle while handling of the holder other than
during the venipuncture procedure itself. That is, after attachment
of a conventional double ended needle, the device may be
immediately used for venipuncture; alternatively, the double ended
needle may be retracted within the guard of the device in the event
there will be a time lapse prior to use. After withdrawal of the
needle on completion of a venipuncture procedure, the anterior
needle is retracted within the guard to prevent needle stick and to
contain any body fluids of the patient which may be on or about the
needle. Prior to retraction, the posterior needle is shielded by
both the holder and the guard. Upon retraction of the double ended
needle, the posterior needle remains shielded within the holder to
prevent needle stick or contact therewith by a clinician.
Passageway 90 of receptacle 10 receives the collar extending
anteriorly from the barrel, which collar may partly house and
shield the end of the anterior needle. Prior to and during the act
of mating the collar with passageway 90, the anterior needle
remains shielded and accidental contact therewith by a clinician
will be precluded. During extension of the double ended needle
prior to segregation of the needle from the holder, the anterior
needle is interior of receptacle 10, which receptacle shields the
needle against accidental contact by the clinician After
unthreading of the double ended needle from the holder, the needle
will drop into the receptacle with little possibility that the
clinician can contact either the anterior or posterior needle of
the double ended needle. Accordingly, the combination of device 50
and receptacle 10 provides apparatus which will completely
safeguard a clinician from contact with a double ended needle
during the time subsequent to a venipuncture procedure to final
disposal of the double ended needle.
Single ended needles attached to hypodermic needles have similar
ribbed hubs. Accordingly, the present invention can be used to
disengage such needles from their syringes.
While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in
an illustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to
those skilled in the art many modifications of structure,
arrangement, proportions, elements, materials and components used
in the practice of the invention which are particularly adapted for
specific environments and operating requirements without departing
from those principles.
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